Transatlantic Economy Flashcards
Cape Verde
First established plantation colony (no indg population)
Portuguese sailed to African coast and bought slaves captured from inland villages who were transported to work the plantation.
Triangular Slave Trade
Ship began in New England with a consignment of rum. Crossed over to West Africa where rum was exchanged for slaves. Sail back across to Caribbean and traded slaves for molasses. Then sailed back to New England and molasses was turned into rum.
Distribution of the Slave Trade
Brazil - 50% of all slaves
Caribbean - 35%
America - only received around 400,000 slaves.
How many slaves were transported to the Americas?
No specific number is known. At least 12 million.
The Middle Passage
Crossing from West Africa to the Americas.
100s of slaves packed into holds of ships, shackled to the deck, with horrific living conditions. Instances of slaves being thrown overboard to conserve limited food resources.
Brazil
Received nearly half of all slaves, and the trade continued until the 1880s. Around 40% of the population is African
Haiti
Most valuable plantation colony in history. While slavery in France was abolished in 1789, it remained in Haiti as France insisted it was essential for the economy.
The Quakers
Led the opposition to slavery
When was the slave trade officially ended in Britain?
In 1807, however slavery itself continued until 1833.
History of Slavery (pre-transatlantic slave trade)
Most societies were built through slavery. It was acceptable to enslave people that you conquered. Slavery was not originally connected to a single ethnic group.
What was the preferred labor system in the Americas and why?
Slavery
- Strong demand for labor intensive projects
- Agriculture and intensive farming
- Shortage of local labor
- Slavery was a ‘reliable’ source of labor
What “justified” slavery?
The development of Race. From the perspective of colonial powers, the African race was “below” the European race
